Source: BCC promotes war veterans – herald
Vusumuzi Dube, Deputy Radar Editor
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has promoted all veterans of the liberation struggle employed by the local authority one grade up, in recognition of their contribution to the country’s independence.
The resolution follows a three-year engagement process with the veterans, who initially requested several perks, including residential, agricultural and commercial stands at concessionary rates.
When discussions began, the council had only agreed that the war veterans would receive a promotion upon retirement, in line with Government policy.
According to a confidential council report, the development faced resistance from some councillors, mainly from the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change, who questioned whether such benefits should not also be extended to ordinary residents,
who equally bore the costs of the liberation war.
“Councillor Sikhululekile Moyo wanted to know if it was possible for residents to be accorded the same treatment as war veterans. Councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu indicated that everybody fought the war directly or indirectly.
Some people lost their parents because of the war but never benefitted anything,” read the report.
“War veterans had benefitted a lot. There were no genuine war veterans who were still employed because of their age. Most of them had reached the age of retirement. He sought clarity on the number of war veterans affected.
He felt that the money should be channelled to critical vacancies.”
Other councillors cautioned that approving the promotions could set a precedent.
“Councillor Josiah Mutangi sought clarity on the ages of the war veterans and if they had undergone the vetting exercise.
Councillor Sikhululekile Moyo proposed that they be awarded a one upgrade.
“The Human Capital Director explained that there were only seven War Veterans in the City of Bulawayo.
He advised that Council should look at the recommendations of the previous General Purposes Committee,” read the report.
The Deputy Mayor (Councillor Edwin Ndlovu) indicated that Council was in a position to make its own resolution pertaining the matter, taking into consideration the sentiments raised.
It was resolved that the promotion of all war veterans, one grade up as per Government policy be adopted,” reads the report.
In a letter sent to the local authority by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Mr Albert Chikondo, he revealed that after a thorough vetting process, there were 39 veterans of the liberation struggle employed by the local authority.
“Please find attached the list of confirmed Veterans of the Liberation Struggle in accordance with your request. The list reflects current information held in our records of accredited Veterans of the Liberation Struggle and their categories in terms of the
Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act (Chapter 17:12),” read the letter.
“The ministry is sincerely grateful to the Bulawayo City Council for its efforts in empowering Veterans of the Liberation Struggle as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act.”
According to the list provided by the ministry, the local authority has 21 war veterans, 10 war collaborators and eight non-combatant cadres.
In the list, the most prominent are the Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube a retired Major from the Zimbabwe National Army, Zanu-PF Politburo member, Cde Elphas Tshuma and survivor of the Mkushi bombing of 19 October 1978 in Zambia, Mrs Moratiwa Valentine Gazi.
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